Pathological jealousy and pathological love: Apples to apples or apples to oranges?

Pathological jealousy evokes emotions, thoughts, and behaviors that cause damage to social and interpersonal relationships. On the other hand, pathological love is the uncontrollable behavior of caring for a partner that results in neglecting the needs of the self. The aim of the present research was to assess the similarities and differences between the two psychopathologies of love.

Pathological jealousy: romantic relationship characteristics, emotional and personality aspects, and social adjustment.

Background: The aim of this study was to identify romantic relationship characteristics, emotional and personality aspects and social adjustment in subjects with pathological jealousy (PJ) and to compare them to control group.

Methods: The participants, 32 individuals with PJ and 31 healthy volunteers completed measures of jealousy intensity, attachment type, love and relationship styles, personality, impulsivity, aggressiveness and social adjustment. Socio-demographic profiles were also obtained.

Evaluation of a physical activity program for pathological gamblers in treatment.

It has been demonstrated that craving for gambling is associated with anxiety and depression in pathological gamblers. Exercise has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression, as well as positively influence abstinence rates in individuals with substance use disorders. In this study, we examined the impact of a physical activity program in 33 pathological gamblers.

Gender differences in obsessive-compulsive disorder: a literature review.

Introduction: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a heterogeneous condition, in which subtypes have been proposed. Previous studies suggested that gender plays a relevant role in OCD phenotypic expression. This study aimed to review the literature on gender differences in clinical, genetic or familial aspects of OCD.

Differences in drinking patterns between men and women in Brazil.

Objective: To examine sex differences in alcohol consumption according to age groups, and to assess gender and age effects on several aspects of alcohol consumption patterns.

Method: Based on a Brazilian nationwide representative sample (n = 3,007), we analysed the differences in drinking patterns between genders. We also assessed the effects of gender, age, and gender by age interaction for alcohol consumption dimensions (frequent drinking, usual intake, binge drinking, and frequent binge drinking), using logistic and negative binomial regression models.

Pathological love: impulsivity, personality, and romantic relationship.

Introduction: Pathological love (PL)--behavior characterized by providing repetitive and uncontrolled care and attention to the partner in a romantic relationship--is a rarely studied condition, despite not being rare and causing suffering. This study aims at investigating impulsivity, personality, and characteristics related to the romantic relationship in this population.

Methods: Eighty-nine individuals (50 with PL; 39 individuals with no psychiatric disorder) were compared regarding impulsivity, personality, type of attachment, satisfaction with romantic relationship, and love style.

Validity of a frustration-induction procedure.

Objective: To test a reliable and easily administered frustration-induction procedure for experimental research.

Method: One hundred volunteers (81 women, mean age +/- SD 34.2 +/- 8 years) physically and psychiatrically healthy submitted to the frustration induction procedure were prevented from reaching reward level scores.

Alcohol and drug use among university students: gender differences.

Objective: This study compared the pattern of alcohol, legal and illegal drugs use among students of the Universidade de São Paulo (Brazil) in 1996 and 2001.

Method: Samples of 2.564 (1996) and 2.

The impact of gender, depression, and personality on craving.

Craving plays an important role in the addictive behavior process. The impact of gender, emotional state and personality on craving, however, has been understudied. Ninety-six women and 86 men seeking treatment for substance dependence were investigated regarding the association between personality factors (assessed by the Temperament and Character Inventory), depressive/anxiety symptomatology (assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory and the Beck Anxiety Inventory), and craving intensity (rated in the 7-day and the 24-hour periods prior to assessment).

[Pathological love: is it a new psychiatric disorder?].

Objective: The pathological love is characterized by being a behavior of taking care and paying attention to the beloved partner in a way which is repetitive and careless of control in an amorous relationship. Although the available data is comprised of case studies, such condition (which is distinguished itself from erotomania or delusional love) seems not to be rare.

Method: We reviewed the available literature on the clinical characteristics of pathological love (PL), using the Medline, Lilacs and PsychoINFO databases.

Personality changes in women recovering from substance-related dependence.

The present study explored the potential for change in personality in women in recovery. Dimensions of the Temperament and Character Model and the five-factor model of personality were examined at baseline and at follow-up after treatment for addiction. Within both models of personality, the factors which have been found to be the best predictors of the presence of a personality disorder (Self-Directedness within the Temperament and Character Model; Neuroticism within the five-factor model) showed significant change at follow-up which suggests the flexibility of personality and the potential for change of personality disorders within women seeking treatment for addiction.

[Domestic violence, alcohol and substance abuse].

Domestic violence and substance abuse are common in primary care patients. Although these problems are associated with severe physical and psychological sequelae, they are often undiagnosed. This article provides an overview of the prevalence of these problems, the health-related consequences for adults, children and elderly, as well as the challenges for clinicians in screening, assessment and referral.

Comparison of craving between pathological gamblers and alcoholics.

Background: Craving is a central phenomenon in addiction. Temperament factors are also important for pathologic gambling and other addictions. The aim of this study was to compare craving between pathologic gamblers (PG) and alcohol-dependent subjects (ADS), correlating craving with personality.

Association of MAO A polymorphism and alcoholism in Brazilian females.

Among the different possible genes involved in the alcoholism etiology, the X-linked monoamine oxidase A gene is a good candidate. The aim of this study was to assess whether a functional VNTR polymorphism in the promoter region of the monoamine oxidase A gene is associated with alcoholism, comparing patients of both sexes. Ninety-three alcohol-dependent patients (51 males, 42 females) and 93 sex-matched normal controls were engaged.

The impact of an outpatient program for women with substance use-related disorders on retention.

Meeting the needs of women manifesting substance-use disorders is a goal in developing treatment programs for this population. As retention in treatment is positively related to treatment outcome, the length of stay in outpatient treatment of alcohol- and other drug-dependent women in Brazil was compared between two programs. Data were analyzed from 181 women entering a Mixed-Gender Program from 1986 to 1996 and from 80 women entering a Women-Only Program from 1997 to 1998.

Are there cognitive and behavioural approaches specific to the treatment of pathological gambling?

Objective: Treatment approaches for pathological gambling have been modelled after preexisting substance addiction models. This paper reviews cognitive-behavioural models in a search for original insights that are specific to gambling treatment.

Method: A computerized search of major health care databases (Medline and PsycINFO) was performed.

Substance use disorders: sex differences and psychiatric comorbidities.

Objective: This article reviews sex differences in psychiatric comorbidity among individuals with substance use disorders and, in particular, the clinical significance of these differences for treatment outcome among women.

Method: We undertook a computerized search of major health care databases. To enhance the search, we drew prior relevant articles from the reference list.

Relationship between craving and personality in treatment-seeking women with substance-related disorders.

Background: Individual differences may impact susceptibility to addiction. The impact of personality features on drug craving, however, has not been studied, particularly in women.

Methods: Ninety-five treatment-seeking women with substance dependence, abstinent for at least 5 and no more than 21 days, were investigated regarding the correlation between personality factors and craving.